Florida Grease Trap Regulations (2026)

By the GreaseTrapFinder Editorial Team · Updated June 11, 2026 · All citations link to official sources

Everything a Florida restaurant or commercial kitchen needs to know about grease trap compliance: who regulates it, how often you must clean, what records to keep, and what violations actually cost. Citations link to the official source so you can verify every claim — and show your inspector you did.

Florida Requirements at a Glance

Cleaning frequency	No specific statewide interval — interceptors must be 'cleaned regularly,' and local governments may set stricter standards. Tampa requires grease traps cleaned at minimum once per week and interceptors at the 25%-of-capacity threshold; Miami-Dade requires a schedule sufficient to prevent blockages with electronic pump-out reporting.
State regulator	Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Governing regulation	Section 403.0741, Florida Statutes; Chapter 62-705, Florida Administrative Code
Manifest required	Yes — Service Manifest for every collection event under §403.0741 — originator, hauler, destination facility, quantities, disposal receipts; signed by all parties and filed with local authorities within 30 days (source)
Licensed hauler required	Yes — Florida DEP Grease Waste Hauler License (Chapter 62-705, FAC) — annual renewal due March 1; self-cleaners limited to transporting under 55 gallons (source)
Record retention	at least 1 year for signed manifest copies (originators and haulers, under §403.0741); keeping 3 years is still the safer practice for inspections (source)
Penalties	Tiered under §403.0741: up to $100 for missing manifests, up to $250 for failure to clean interceptors, minimum $2,500 plus 30-day license suspension for a first unlawful disposal, and minimum $5,000 plus 12-month revocation for repeat unlawful disposal. (source)

Who Regulates Grease Traps in Florida

At the state level, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is Section 403.0741, Florida Statutes; Chapter 62-705, Florida Administrative Code. Day-to-day enforcement — inspections, cleaning intervals, fines — usually happens through your city or county sewer utility's pretreatment program, which can set stricter rules than the state.

Hauler Licensing

Florida requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under Florida DEP Grease Waste Hauler License (Chapter 62-705, FAC) — annual renewal due March 1; self-cleaners limited to transporting under 55 gallons. (source)

Manifests & Record Keeping

Collect a signed manifest (Service Manifest for every collection event under §403.0741 — originator, hauler, destination facility, quantities, disposal receipts; signed by all parties and filed with local authorities within 30 days) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
Keep records at least 1 year for signed manifest copies (originators and haulers, under §403.0741); keeping 3 years is still the safer practice for inspections. (source)
Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.

City Programs in Florida

Cities run their own FOG programs and often set stricter rules than the state:

Miami (Miami-Dade County)

Program: FOG Discharge Control Operating Permit — Miami-Dade Regulatory and Economic Resources
Ordinance: Miami-Dade County Code §24-5 and §24-42.6 (FOG Control Ordinance, effective March 2018)
Cleaning frequency: Schedule sufficient to maintain proper operation; electronic pump-out report due each cleaning, transporter e-manifest due by the 20th of the cleaning month
Permit: FOG operating permit required for all non-residential food-handling facilities; renewed annually; non-transferable

Tampa

Program: Grease Management Program — City of Tampa Wastewater Department
Ordinance: Tampa Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article VII (§26-306)
Cleaning frequency: Grease traps: at minimum once per week, and whenever FOG/solids exceed 25% of volume. Interceptors: when settled solids reach the outlet pipe invert or contents exceed 25% of capacity.
Permit: PDI-approved equipment required; hauler registration valid three years
Fines: $61 per inspector-hour for failed reinspections; escalation to Code Enforcement Board, criminal prosecution, or civil action

Worth Knowing in Florida

Florida just centralized hauler licensing: the statewide Grease Waste Hauler License under Chapter 62-705 became fully operational in 2025–2026 (following SB 1110), with the application deadline for existing operators in June 2026 — if your hauler isn't licensed under the new system, that's now your compliance problem too. Florida's 1-year manifest retention minimum is among the shortest in the country, but local programs often expect longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must grease traps be cleaned in Florida?

No specific statewide interval — interceptors must be 'cleaned regularly,' and local governments may set stricter standards. Tampa requires grease traps cleaned at minimum once per week and interceptors at the 25%-of-capacity threshold; Miami-Dade requires a schedule sufficient to prevent blockages with electronic pump-out reporting. Your city's FOG program may require more frequent service — and regardless of the legal interval, clean before fats, oils, and grease reach 25% of trap capacity.

Do I need a manifest for grease trap cleaning in Florida?

Yes. Get a signed manifest (Service Manifest for every collection event under §403.0741 — originator, hauler, destination facility, quantities, disposal receipts; signed by all parties and filed with local authorities within 30 days) from the hauler at every service and keep it at least 1 year for signed manifest copies (originators and haulers, under §403.0741); keeping 3 years is still the safer practice for inspections. It's the document inspectors ask for first.

What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Florida?

Tiered under §403.0741: up to $100 for missing manifests, up to $250 for failure to clean interceptors, minimum $2,500 plus 30-day license suspension for a first unlawful disposal, and minimum $5,000 plus 12-month revocation for repeat unlawful disposal. Enforcement is usually municipal, so your city's fine schedule controls — the fastest way to stay off it is a maintained cleaning schedule and complete records.

Can anyone pump my grease trap in Florida?

No — use a licensed/registered hauler (Florida DEP Grease Waste Hauler License (Chapter 62-705, FAC) — annual renewal due March 1; self-cleaners limited to transporting under 55 gallons). If your hauler dumps illegally, the paper trail you kept is your protection.

Next Steps

Official Sources

This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and your local FOG program.

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